51�Թ�

Conditions for grape-pickers in France's champagne business lie at the heart of a human trafficking trial that has opened in the eastern city of Reims.

In addition to the charge of human trafficking, the woman is also accused of undeclared labour, employing foreigners without permits, inadequate pay, and lodging vulnerable people in unfit conditions.

She has argued that the investigations are "dehumanising and prolonged and the women forced to endure them are often extraordinarily vulnerable", including victims of domestic abuse, human trafficking, or women who have given birth prematurely.

He added that investigations probing “human trafficking, money laundering, drug smuggling into these industries are OK.”

He then added: "When there are babies and children put into that position by human trafficking gangs who are coming across the Channel with skin burns from the oil in those boats, mixing with the salt sea water, I would ask any of you to look at those babies and children and say go back where you came from."